Amanoiwakura Jingu

Standing quietly atop a mountain about 600 meters high in Koda-cho, Akitakata City, Hiroshima, Amanoiwakura Jingu is a shrine with no main hall at all. Its sacred body is massive rock itself, preserving to this day the ancient form of rock worship in which stones are the objects of faith. The whole area has long been revered as a sacred site of heavenly descent and a mountain where the gods reside. The path from the base is hard to find and visitors are few, making it truly a hidden sanctuary known only to those in the know. Facing the great rocks in silence brings a solemn feeling, as if touching the prayers of ancient times.

Highlights

- The enormous sacred rock that serves as the deity. With no main hall, you can feel firsthand the origin of an ancient faith that made nature itself the god. - The cluster of stones called Senjo Rock spreading across the southern foot, said to have once been a meeting place of the gods and wrapped in a mysterious air. - Scattered rocks that became objects of faith, such as Tenjin Rock and Chibiki Rock, making you feel that the whole mountain is sacred ground.

Enjoying the Seasons

In the fresh green season the mountain greenery is beautiful, and you can worship in crisp, clean air. In autumn the surrounding trees turn color, adding hues to the quiet mountaintop. In winter there is a risk of snow and icy roads, so take great care with the weather when visiting.

Access and Basic Information

- Location: Kamiobara, Koda-cho, Akitakata City, Hiroshima - Access: The nearest station is Yoshidaguchi on the JR Geibi Line. As it sits atop a mountain on a hard to find road, coming by car with a route checked in advance is recommended. - Hours: Open freely (a daytime visit is recommended) - Admission: Free

A Quick Tip

The road to the trailhead is narrow with gravel sections. If you do not know the area, study the map carefully and visit during daylight with time to spare.